India's first double-decker flyover opens in Mumbai

India's first double-decker flyover

Claimed to be India's first double-decker flyover - part of the Santacruz-Chembur Link Road - has finally be thrown open for traffic in Mumbai. The 6.5km road provides quick east-west connectivity.

We take a look ten salient facts about the flyover:

Image by: Sanjay Hadkar, BCCL

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BCCL

To ease traffic snarls

The Santacruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) is aimed to ease traffic snarls at Amar Mahal Junction, Vakola, Sion and Kula areas and will also significantly de-congest the Eastern and Western Express Highways.

Image by: Sanjay Hadkar, BCCL

2/11

BCCL

1.8km long double-decker flyover

The SCLR comprises 1.8km long double-decker flyover above the Central Railway's main line and Harbour line tracks. It has access to Kurla (W), Kurla (E), Tilak Nagar, Amar Mahal and Eastern Express Highway.

Image by: Sanjay Hadkar, BCCL

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BCCL

Three lanes each

The SCLR - providing three lanes each for up and down traffic - is expected to carry more than 80,000 vehicles per day.

Image by: Sanjay Hadkar, BCCL

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BCCL

Upper and lower levels

The upper and the lower levels of the flyover provide two lanes each for up and down traffic.

Image by: MMRDA

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Save at least 30 minutes

Motorists using the SCLR will save at least 30 minutes of travel time between the eastern and western suburbs.

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PTI

Also has footpaths

It also has footpaths on the lower level flyover for commuters to cross over from Kurla Station to Lokmanya Tilak Terminus and vice versa.

Image by: Sanjay Hadkar, BCCL

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BCCL

Rs 450 crore SCLR project

The Rs 450 crore SCLR project, conceptualised in 2002, missed 12 deadlines due to issues related to resettlement, rehabilitation and encroachment. The groundwork commenced only in 2007.

Connects five major roads

The authority decided to open both projects simultaneously to avoid any traffic hold-up between SCLR and Amar Mahal Junction, which connects five major roads with Eastern Express Highway.

Image by: MMRDA

10/11

Soft opening

The flyover had a soft opening as official function is not allowed due to code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections.

An MMRDA official said, "The SCLR was part of the World Bank-funded Mumbai Urban Transport-I project aimed at improving rail and road infrastructure in Mumbai. Mumbai has always had an excellent rail transport network, which offers linear connectivity between the suburbs and the island city. But east-west connectivity has always been poor."